The internet never forgets—unless you make it. If you value your privacy, one of the most effective steps you can take is removing yourself from people search sites and data aggregators. These sites scrape public records, social media, and other databases to create detailed profiles that often include your name, address, phone number, and more. Unfortunately, they profit from making this information easily accessible, often to marketers, recruiters, or even cyberstalkers.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how you can take control of your online footprint and remove yourself from these invasive directories.
Identify the Sites That Have Your Information
Before you start, you need to know where your information is exposed. A simple Google search of your full name and city can help identify which sites have your data. Search for variations of your name as well.
To make it easier, we’ve divided this guide into three regions: America, the European Union, and Scandinavia.
Removing Your Data in the U.S.
Data aggregators in the U.S. are some of the worst offenders. Many companies make a profit from selling your personal information, but luckily, most offer an opt-out process (even if they make it frustratingly difficult).
Major U.S. Data Broker Opt-Out Links:
- Whitepages: Opt-out link
- Spokeo: Opt-out link
- BeenVerified: Opt-out link
- FastPeopleSearch: Opt-out link
For other sites, search ”[sitename] opt-out” on Google. Some may require ID verification (you can redact unnecessary details).
Paid Removal Services (U.S.):
If you don’t want to handle this manually, services like DeleteMe(joindeleteme.com) or OneRep (onerep.com) can do it for you.
Removing Your Data in the EU
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives EU citizens the right to have their data deleted. This makes removing yourself from data broker sites easier than in the U.S., but you still need to take action.
Steps to Remove Your Data:
- Find out which sites have your info using Google searches.
- Use GDPR requests to demand data deletion. Many sites have contact emails for privacy-related requests.
- Submit a formal request to each site under the ”Right to be Forgotten”. Most sites will comply within 30 days.
- If a site refuses, report them to your national data protection authority.
Example GDPR Removal Letter:
Subject: Request for Data Deletion Under GDPR
Body: ”Hello, under GDPR Article 17 (Right to Erasure), I request the immediate removal of my personal data from your site. My details are as follows: [Your Name, Address, and a link to the profile]. Please confirm once the deletion is complete.”
For persistent offenders, you can file a complaint with the European Data Protection Board.
Removing Your Data in Scandinavia
Scandinavia has strong privacy laws, but there are still issues with public records being accessible online.
Steps to Protect Your Privacy:
- Check local data broker sites (such as Eniro and Hitta in Sweden, 1881.no in Norway, and De Gule Sider in Denmark).
- Request removal using the website’s opt-out forms or by contacting customer service.
- Use national privacy laws to your advantage:
- Sweden: Use the GDPR Right to Erasure and request removal from data brokers.
- Norway: Contact the Datatilsynet (Norwegian Data Protection Authority) if a site refuses to delete your data.
- Denmark: File a complaint with the Danish Data Protection Agency if necessary.
For additional privacy, consider using BankID-based services to control who can access your information.
Set Up Google Alerts for Future Leaks
Even after removing yourself, data aggregators often re-add your information over time. Setting up Google Alerts can notify you when your name appears on new sites:
- Go to Google Alerts
- Enter your name in quotes (e.g., ”John Doe”)
- Use additional keywords like your city or phone number
- Set the alert frequency to ”As-it-happens”
Lock Down Your Online Privacy
To prevent data brokers from collecting your information again:
- Opt out of marketing databases at DMAChoice and OptOutPrescreen
- Adjust privacy settings on social media to limit what’s public
- Use aliases or obfuscate personal details when signing up for non-essential services
- Consider using a VPN to hide your IP and browsing habits
Erasing yourself from data aggregator sites takes effort, but it’s a crucial step in protecting your online privacy. If you don’t have the time to do it yourself, consider using a privacy service to handle it for you. Stay proactive by regularly checking if your information resurfaces and acting quickly to remove it.
Your data is yours—take control of it!
Sincerely
T-Q
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